Novelis to Boost Aluminum Production in Europe

Novelis has announced plans to expand its production capacity for automotive sheet, effective immediately. The company, headquartered in Atlanta, says the expansion plan is designed to meet the growing demand for light, recyclable aluminum sheet for automobile manufacturing.

In a release, Novelis Europe notes that it has qualified its rolling and finishing facility in Gottingen, Germany to produce automotive sheet. Novelis currently produces automotive sheet in Europe at its Nachterstedt, Germany and Sierre, Switzerland facilities.

Initially, 20,000 tons of aluminum will be manufactured annually at its Gottingen facility. The company notes that a planned second phase will expand capacity to 40,000 tons per year at the plant. Novelis’ Gottingen production site has specialized in the surface treatment of aluminum for various surface-critical applications.

"The increased production at our Gottingen plant is part of our global expansion plan in the automotive sector," says Erwin Mayr, senior vice president, Novelis and president, Novelis Europe. "As the world's largest producer of aluminum sheet for the automobile industry, Novelis is adding capacity worldwide to meet the rapidly growing demand for rolled aluminum used in the design of a new generation of lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles."

The company adds that in North America it is undertaking an expansion at its Oswego, N.Y., plant that will add 240,000 tons and a new plant under construction in Changzhou, China, which will have a capacity of 120,000 tons.